Dabo Swinney has made plenty of headlines over the last few weeks, ever since his final coaches poll ballot was revealed and he had Ohio State ranked No. 11. His firm belief that a 6-0 team didn’t deserve a shot in the College Football Playoff is well known.

On Thursday, just one day before No. 3 Ohio State and No. 2 Clemson are set to go head-to-head in the Sugar Bowl, Swinney and Buckeyes’ head coach Ryan Day met with the media to preview the New Year’s Day game. And, of course, the question of OSU’s ranking in Swinney’s poll was a question.

Day didn’t dwell on the disrespect. In fact, Day paid a compliment to Swinney and his wife, who he says have helped him tremendously as a head coach.

“I would say I’m glad he’s not (on the CFP committee.) They were very graceful to my friends and I,” Day said, per 247Sports. “Being a young coach and Nina being a wife of the head coach at Ohio State… there are only a few people that can share the same experiences. They have been unbelievable in terms of giving advice. We are in a incredibly competitive environment. At the end of the day, we’re all human. Appreciated the way he gave great council and he’s been a great pro.”

Swinney made it clear that his ranking of Ohio State was not meant to disrespect the Buckeyes or the level of talent they have on the field. Instead, he didn’t think a team that played 6 games should be evaluated the same way as squads that played somewhere between 10 and 12 contests.

Either way, Ohio State is in the Playoff and will have a chance to prove it belongs on Friday night.